Member representating Etung State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar has said that his victory and that of Governor Ben Ayade at the Election Petition Tribunal was an affirmation of the wishes of his constituents as well as the entire state.

Recall that governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress and that of Etung state assembly dragged the duo to the Tribunal seeking to cancel the election for alleged irregularities.

However, in separate rulings yesterday by the Tribunal 1 and 2 sitting at More Road, Calabar, the election of the Governor and Hon. Mbu-Ogar were upheld while the petitions against them were dismissed as lacking in merit.

Mbu-Ogar, while reacting to the ruling in a statement personally signed by him maintained that the victory was well deserved for him, the Governor and the entire Cross Riverians who turned out en-masse to vote for them during the election.

While calling on those who contested against them to sheath their swords and join them in moving the state forward, he added that their resolves to deliver on their campaign promises was undaunted.

"Today's ruling at the election petition tribunal is a well-deserved victory for our constituents and indeed all Cross Riverians who turned out en-masse to vote my Boss, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade and I into Office.

Once again, your voices have been clearly heard. Our resolve to bring growth and development to our beloved State and Local Governments is undaunted.

More than ever, we are committed to fulfilling the mandate given us by you all and bringing to bare the reality of our promises to the people. Yet again, we extend our hands of goodwill and fellowship to our co-contestants and other well-meaning Sons and Daughters; the movement for our growth and development as a state calls for collaborative efforts.

We remain deeply appreciative of all who continued to work tirelessly in our vanguard for the true emancipation of our common heritage. Together, we join hands to move Cross River State and Etung Local Government Area forward", the statement reads.